Skip to main content
"Hailey Bieber at the Time 100 Gala"
"John Goodman at the Nymphes D'Or Golden Nymphs Award Ceremony"
"Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games in Vancouver"

Homepage

Security Experts Reveal The Warning Signs That Your iPhone Is Being Tracked

August 24, 2024 by Lisa Cupido
shefinds | Homepage
Featured image

SheFinds receives commissions for purchases made through the links in this post.

One of the scariest situations many of us can imagine is finding out someone has been tracking us via our iPhones for some time — and has been listening to our calls, intercepting our messages, and more.

Terrifying thought, for sure. But if you’re paying attention and know some of the signs and what to look for, you’ll find your phone will let you know that something isn’t quite right. As the experts at Payette Forward explain, there are warning signs you’ll notice if someone is tracking you on your iPhone. They aren’t always subtle, and some may go right over your head. Don’t blame yourself — it may take some time to realize something has been amiss.

If someone is tracking your iPhone and compromising your data and privacy, it’s more than likely one of these warning signs will clue you in.

house unit img
Women Are Swapping Their Boring Water For This Ice Pop Electrolyte Mix!
iphone-battery

1. Increased Battery Usage

 

If your phone has always required four charges per day to keep it powered, there’s a chance you simply use several resource-intensive apps that have drained it of power. But if you’ve been noticing lately that your device suspiciously drops in battery power and you haven’t done anything differently, such as download new apps or increase your screen brightness, there’s a chance someone could be tracking your phone.

 

Go to Settings > Battery and check your battery usage over the past 10 days. If there are unexpected spikes in your usage or you see apps that you didn’t download yourself, that’s a red flag. Someone could be tracking your iPhone.

iphone-find-my-app

2. Your Phone Constantly Heats Up

 

There are several reasons why your phone could be heating up at strange times. If its battery is starting to degrade, whether from age or incorrect charging habits, this can cause your device to get hotter. Using several resource-intensive apps at once may also do it. But if you’ve corrected these potential issues, or these aren’t issues at all for you, a heated phone is a sign of a process running in the background, and it might mean someone is tracking you. Pay particular attention to this if your device heats up even when you aren’t using it.

woman-smiling-iphone-beach

3. Email Forwarding

 

The sooner you can make certain that your emails are staying in your email and not being shared with anyone else, the better you can rest. Each email provider will have different steps on how to check email forwarding. But since Gmail is one of the most popular, the experts at Payette Forward recommend going to Settings in Gmail, clicking on the “Forwarding and POP/IMAP” tab, and checking the Forwarding settings. If anyone’s email is in this slot and it is enabled, disable it immediately and save the settings. This will stop your emails from being forwarded to someone who is tracking them.

 


Even if the risk of your phone being tracked is low, it’s always a smart idea to stay aware of some common red flags and take action if you suspect your phone has been compromised.

Author:

Lisa Fogarty is a lifestyle writer and reporter based in New York who covers health, wellness, relationships, sex, beauty, and parenting.

"Will Ferrell with George W. Bush and Jenna Bush Hager"
"Woman applying blush in makeup"
"Close-up of a woman walking"
"King Charles, Prince Harry, and Queen Camilla at an event"
"North West and Kim Kardashian together"
"Meghan Markle before attending the Invictus Games"
"Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle at a public event"
"Selena Gomez at the Cannes Film Festival"
"Melania Trump delivering remarks at the New York Stock Exchange opening bell"
"Close-up of male hands holding an iPhone 17 Pro Max"
"Eating burgers and drinking soda"
King Charles with Prince Harry and Queen Camilla in a public appearance.
North West poses with Kim Kardashian at a public event.
Meghan Markle attending the Invictus Games event.
Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle at a royal engagement.
Selena Gomez stunning in elegant gown at Cannes Festival.
Melania Trump speaks at the New York Stock Exchange opening bell ceremony.
Trendy layered haircut showcasing volume and texture for fine hair.
Close-up of male hands with Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max in use.
Delicious burgers and soda enjoyed at a casual gathering.
John Goodman at award ceremony after significant weight loss.
Meghan Markle at Invictus Games in Vancouver.
Deborra-Lee Furness expresses concern for Hugh Jackman's health.
Lauren Sanchez posing in a stylish outfit.
Electrolyte drinks displayed in a store aisle
Kendall Jenner showcasing the skirt-over-pants fashion trend.
Barack Obama and Donald Trump during a public event.
Shakira performing at the Grammys, showcasing her talent and style.
Will Ferrell impersonating George W. Bush with Jenna Bush Hager
Woman applying blush for a glamorous makeup look.
Woman walking outdoors, showcasing a healthy lifestyle.
King Charles with Prince Harry and Queen Camilla in a public appearance.
North West poses with Kim Kardashian at a public event.
Meghan Markle attending the Invictus Games event.
Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle at a royal engagement.
Selena Gomez stunning in elegant gown at Cannes Festival.
Melania Trump speaks at the New York Stock Exchange opening bell ceremony.
Trendy layered haircut showcasing volume and texture for fine hair.

Partners

Even more than clothes, I've always loved jewelry. Show ...

Close-up of male hands with Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max in use.
Delicious burgers and soda enjoyed at a casual gathering.